Lest We Forget: Commemorating our servicemen and women

ANZAC Day is just around the corner, and as the nation prepares to remember the men, women, and animals that served in WWI in any capacity, as well as those who have bravely protected our country in the century since, we thought we’d take a moment to reflect on what ANZAC Day is actually about.

Despite our rich history, there are still a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding ANZAC Day and exactly what it means to current and ex-servicemen and women and their families. In fact, in the lead up to April 25 last year, one retired servicemen stood up to set the record straight.

In a post on his personal Facebook page that later went viral, Shaun Buckney from Brisbane, who is the son of a soldier that served in the Australian military for 32 years vented his frustrations. Shaun also served for 15 years himself, during which he did a tour of East Timor with the 26th Transport Squadron in 1999.

Now in his 50s, Shaun rightly pointed out that a lot of the terminology and beliefs surrounding ANZAC Day are less than accurate. To clear up the confusion, he shared his 16-point lesson.

1. We commemorate ANZAC Day, not celebrate it. It’s not a bloody party.
2. Tuesday 25 April 2017 marks the 102nd anniversary of the landing of ANZAC Soldiers, Sailors, Medical personnel and animals on Gallipoli.
3. Sailors rowed Soldiers ashore during the Gallipoli landings, under heavy fire, without outboards motors. The little boats they used are called ‘lighters’.
4. It’s a bugle, not a trumpet, and the Last Post is sounded, not played. It’s not a bloody dance tune.
5. Not every serviceman/woman was a ‘soldier’. Some were Sailors, Airmen and Nursing Sisters. Please take the time to ascertain what Service they served in, and use the correct terminology. It means a lot them/us!
6. No I am not wearing my father’s medals, they are mine. I earned them during Active Service while you were enjoying all the comforts that I was dreaming of.
7. They’re medals, not badges. They’re citations, not pins.
8. Please don’t try to draw comparisons between civilians and war veterans, I’ve never seen a civilian perform acts of heroism whilst under fire to protect their fellow service personnel, flag and Country.
9. Medals, ribbons and Unit Citations are EARNED, not WON. It’s not a bloody chook raffle. They are awarded to the recipient, not given to them.
10. The RED POPPY symbolises peace, death and sleep of the fallen servicemen/woman, while the PURPLE Poppy represents remembrance of the animal victims of war. Learn the difference. Traditionally, Rosemary is worn on ANZAC Day; however, the Poppy has become popular through the generations and is widely worn on both ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day Services.
11. ‘Lest We Forget’ isn’t a throwaway line, it actually has meaning: it’s an expression of remembrance, par excellence. It has dignified origins, a rich history.
12. Yes, I am allowed to wear my ‘Return From Active Service’ badge on any day of the year that I choose to wear it.
13. Australian and New Zealand soldiers didn’t retreat from Gallipoli, they withdrew.
14. It doesn’t matter which side you wear your Poppy on, as long as it’s worn with pride.
15. Medal recipients wear their medals on the left side of their chest covering their heart, family members/descendants wear the medals on the right.
16. The ‘Ode’ comes from the poem “For the Fallen”, which was written by Laurence Binyon. The verse, which is commonly known as ‘The Ode Of Remembrance’, is as follows:
    “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
    Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
    At the going down of the sun and in the morning
    Lest We Forget
    Here endeth the lesson.
    You can view the original post, here!”

With this in mind, April 25 gives all Australians a moment to not only remember fallen, injured and ex-servicemen and women, it also gives us a chance to show our appreciation for those currently serving our country.

Show your respects by raising a flag in honour of all Australians, including our brave indigenous servicemen and women, with a flag from Tudor House. Contact us today to discover what options we have available.

You can view the original post, here!

With this in mind, April 25 gives all Australians a moment to not only remember fallen, injured and ex-servicemen and women, it also gives us a chance to show our appreciation for those currently serving our country.

Show your respects by raising a flag in honour of all Australians, including our brave indigenous servicemen and women, with a flag from Tudor House. Contact us today to discover what options we have available.